This chapter will examine characteristics of first-year experience programs in community colleges, with specific attention to the extant research about their effectiveness, the ways in which research and program delivery can be integrated, and the unique challenges of delivering FYE programs and conducting research about them in community colleges.

This "What Works Clearinghouse Procedures and Standards Handbook (Version 3.0)" provides a detailed description of the standards and procedures of the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC). The remaining chapters of this Handbook are organized to take the reader through the basic steps that the WWC uses to develop a review protocol, identify…

Outlines the pros and cons of Project JOLT, a "Scared Straight" type of program. Raises some theoretical, methodological, and political issues surrounding the Scared Straight approach. Illustrates some of the pitfalls in program evaluation in corrections and makes some recommendations. (Author/RC)

Participants in this conference urged that arrangements be made for collecting and preserving information about participants, personnel, and organizations involved in the Follow Through Program, and for conducting long-term review studies of the program. Papers presented at the conference were: (1) "A Brief History" (Robert L. Egbert and…

A review of research on vocational rehabilitation of the mentally retarded shows that many programs have been successful in placing clients. Evaluation methods are reviewed and vocational training methods in different states are described. Research shows that relevant evaluation, training, and placement can succeed. (JAC)

A review of the literature on individualized instruction in writing centers and other places reveals several histories, theories, and rationales for such instruction. Suggested models of instruction emphasize the progress of the individul through conferences, individualized assignments, high levels of peer interaction, and grade negotiation. The…

The authors trace the development of the King's Formative Assessment Programme from its origins in diagnostic testing in the 1970s, through the graded assessment movement in the 1980s, to the present day. In doing so, they discuss the practical issues involved in reviewing research and outline the strategies that were used to try to communicate…

This paper traces the history of a series of early studies designed to identify and document unusually successful compensatory education projects. One of the major characteristics of the early studies is that they were based upon review and analysis of existing literature. Although they used similar data bases they varied considerably in…

A study looked at ways in which two New Zealand elementary schools responded to the interests of their multicultural communities through language programs. The schools developed Maori language instruction programs in response to community interest and recently-established national policy. The study's report begins with an overview of the major…

Presents profiles of the Parent-Teacher Action Research projects of seven schools in the national reform network, the League of Schools Reaching Out, and one in Spain. Each school is carrying out a family and community involvement project, and each has an action research team to collect information on program effects. (SLD)

Noting that the disappointing findings of the first-year evaluation of the 21st-Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) after-school program were offered as a rationale for a requested decrease in funding in President Bush's fiscal year 2004 education budget, this report compiles expert commentary on methodological issues in that evaluation…

The relative efficiency of various manpower programs as seen through cost-benefit analysis is assessed, and the contribution that cost-benefit analysis has made in evaluating manpower programs is discussed, taking into account a variety of methodologies presented in different studies. Vocational rehabilitation appears to yield the highest…

Findings of a review of research pertaining to federally subsidized school nutrition programs are presented in this report. The review of research, the first phase of the National Evaluation of School Nutrition Programs, is intended to provide guidance for the design of subsequent evaluation (including student, parent, and food administrator…

A study done for the National Community Education Advisory Council to assess programs funded under the Community Schools Act is presented in an introduction and three parts. Study goals, as defined in the introduction, are to describe the organization and operation of community education projects of local educational agencies, state educational…

Various dimensions of this national education and leadership program are explored by this case study that presents both successful and unsuccessful aspects of its components. The major objective of the National Program for educational Leadership (NPEL) is to establish a national consortium and national network of educational leaders who will work…